It was a 3-1 weekend for the Penticton Pinnacles under-21 squads in the Reserve Division of the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
The womens team improved to 2-2-1 with two wins (3-0 against the Fraser Valley Action and 4-0 against TSS Academy) at Kings Park on the weekend.
Against the Action, Jill Flockhart netted two goals while Brianna Hrynyk scored the other. Against TSS Academy, Crystal Schuder scored twice with Alana Parker and Taylor Pinto also finding the back of the net. Pinnacles coach Ray Hintz liked the character his team showed even though they “seemed a little sluggish” in his opinion.
“The intensity wasn’t there but we fought through it,” said Hintz. “We scored probably two weak goals on them and we kept the pressure because TSS is a good team with good possession, good little touches. In the second half we picked it up a little bit.”
Hintz said that fatigue from playing the day before might have been a factor, but he didn’t want to use that as an excuse since TSS Academy had played in Kelowna the day before (Saturday).
Hintz said the two wins are big as it helps them get in the playoff picture.
“We are always striving for the playoffs,” he said. “I think the way they are understanding the system, playing the system, the last two weeks have helped us a lot.”
Parker, the Pinnacles captain, was pleased to see the offence they generated because “we don’t usually score,” she said laughing. The Pinnacles have scored five goals in five games. They have allowed seven.
Parker liked the number of shots they had and they moved the ball better as well.
“They came at us hard,” said Parker. “We passed it around instead of sending all long balls.”
The mens team earned a split as they erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat Victoria United 3-2 then lost 2-1 to the Mid Isle (Nanaimo) Highlanders.
Ezra Cremers, the Pinnacles coach/player, said they started with great possessive football and probably dominated the first half. Randy Hubber scored a fantastic goal on the left side picking the top corner. Cremers described the second half as a good battle. However in the last 10 minutes, the Highlanders scored the winner.
“I would like to have that one back,” said Cremers, whose team is 3-2-1. “We really felt that was taken from us. We had our opportunities. Give them credit, fantastic goal for them to win the game.”
With the Pinnacles next game not until June 16, Cremers plans to use that time to train more.
“That’s a positive,” said Cremers, who added he would have preferred if they were playing. “Hopefully put it together and peak at the right time.”